Every commissioned deputy with the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office has access to a tactical vest thanks to funding from the Cherokee Nation.

Undersheriff Joe Garrett said the Cherokee Nation provided the sheriff’s office with $10,000 to purchase vests for the entire force.

The $10,000 funded the purchase of 18 additional tactical vests to add to the 10 purchased last year with Cherokee Nation funds.

Garrett said the need for the vests became apparent when deputies and other

law enforcement personnel responded to a hostage situation near Peggs in December.

“It took the deal down south of Locust Grove to open our eyes,” said Garrett.

He said the sheriff’s office had men who responded to the call who were not wearing tactical vests. When the chase ended in a shootout, Garrett said he and the sheriff saw a need for additional vests.

The sheriff’s office sent a letter to Cherokee Nation Councilwoman Meredith Frailey explaining the need for the vests. Garrett said the Cherokee Nation had a marshal who responded to the shootout. “They were pretty key in our arrest,” Garrett said.

Frailey presented the sheriff’s office request for additional funding to purchase the tactical vests. The Cherokee Nation council approved the funding in March, and the sheriff’s office purchased the vests.

“With our budget restraints we could never have done this,” said Garrett. “Everybody’s got one on hand now.”

Even reserve officers have a vest available in each reserve car. Before the vests were purchased, reserves had to check out a vest at the office, which wasn’t practical since reserves often don’t have time to check in when being called for backup.

Garrett said moving from the Pryor Police Department to the sheriff’s office gave him a new respect for deputies.

He explained deputies respond to calls and wait 30 to 45 minutes before another deputy shows up.

“They’re a pretty brave bunch of fellows, I think,” he said.

With the help of the Cherokee Nation, deputies have one more tool at their disposal to protect them when responding throughout the county.